Wizards of Life!

Author: Jitendra Singh

  • Driving Through Tamhini Ghat: An Experience of a Lifetime!

    Driving Through Tamhini Ghat: An Experience of a Lifetime!

    Tamhini Ghat is a 15 Km mountain passage located at a distance of about 40 km from the city of Pune. Tamhini Ghat is famous for its scenic route and awe inspiring natural beauty especially during the monsoon season.

    Ghat Roads Near Pune City

    The city of Pune is surrounded by many ghats. Being located in the middle of Western Ghat Ranges there are many ghats surrounding the city. If fact there are so many ghats surrounding the city that it is not an exaggeration to say that Pune City is surrounded by Ghat Roads from all the sides. There are many famous ghats nearby the city which are as under:

    1. Naneghat
    2. Malshej Ghat
    3. Bhor Ghat
    4. Tamhini Ghat
    5. Dive Ghat
    6. Bopdev Ghat

    These ghat roads become extremely beautiful during the monsoon season with clouds on the roads and waterfalls in the surroundings. A drive through these ghat roads has been one of the most fascinating experiences in my life till date.

    A View of Malshej Ghat in Rainy Season

    Tamhini Ghat

    Tamhini Ghat is located in the crest of Western Ghats around 1 hr drive from Pune City. The ghat road is located between Tamhini and Mulshi Village. This ghat road did not exist earlier and has been recently built to give a new passage to Konkan region. Tamhini ghat connects Pune city with Konkan region. The ghat road is well known for its natural beauty, waterfalls and Mulshi Lake.

    Driving Through Tamhini Ghat

    In my two years of stay in Pune city I drove through Tamhini Ghat thrice. Ever time the experience was unique and the views were mesmerizing. The recommended time for visiting the Tamhini Ghat is from the month of July to October i.e from the onset of monsoon till the end of it. There are many waterfalls along the way where you can just stop by and take a bath in the waterfall. Apart from the waterfalls there are views of the mountains which will amaze you.

      View of a Waterfall in Tamhini Ghat
    View of a Mountain surrounded by clouds and Waterfalls

    Driving through the Tamhini ghat you can stop by and enjoy a sweet corn from one of the local villagers shop. There are many good restaurants which offer authentic Marathi food which you can enjoy. The Tamhini Ghat road is ideal for driving during the rain. However the only downside is that due to its popularity it becomes heavily crowded during the weekend and on the rainy days. I would recommend to take the drive the Tamhini Ghat early in the morning the avoid being stuck in heavy traffic.

    Places to Visit in Tamhini Ghat

    Tamhini Ghat is an ideal place for trekking, hiking, sightseeing, driving through or even spending a weekend with your loved ones. The most famous places in the list include:

    1. Mulshi Dam
    2. Devkund Waterfall
    3. Tikona Fort
    4. Andharban Trek

    Mulshi Lake

    Mulshi Lake is one of the primary attractions of Tamhini Ghat. The lake is a man made lake formed due to Mulshi dam built on Mula River. The view of the Mulshi Lake in the monsoon is mesmerizing.

    View of Mulshi Lake

    Andarban Trek

    Andharban trek is located in ‘Tamhini Ghat’ and takes around 6 hrs to complete. The trek is of easy to moderate difficulty level however being a journey of around 15 km a high level of endurance is required for Andharban trek. Andharban trek is one of the few treks in Sahyadris where the starting and end points are different. The trek starts from Pimpri Dam in Pune district and ends at Bhira dam in Raigarh district covering the wide variety of landscapes of Sahyadris like Valleys, plateaus, waterfalls and river streams. For more details please refer to the article- http://jitendrasinghirps.in/blog-details.php?nid=29.

    View of a valley in Andharban
    Views of Western Ghats from Andharban Trek

    Tamhini ghat has been one of the most memorable journey of my life till date. Partly because of its natural beauty and partly because it is one of the first scenic journeys that I took in my life.

  • Meaning of Republic Day to Me!

    Meaning of Republic Day to Me!

    The history of human evolution has been a history of conflict and wars. During the prehistoric times humans used to live in caves and they used to fight with each other over food and living space. However slowly the societies started to grow and humans started to live in groups. These groups shared certain common values and they used to protect the group interests. This led to formation of tribal communities which lived together, ate together and fought together. The tribal communities with high aspirations turned into kingdoms and they ruled over the larger part of the planet for over 2000 years. We have heard the names of kingdoms like Roman Empire, Mughal Empire and Turkish empire etc.

    The coming up of Renaissance and modernism changed everything. This led to massive industrialisation in certain countries of Western Europe and this started a phenomenon of “Colonialism”. During the era of Colonialism the developed countries used the resources of the colonies to fuel their economic development. This phenomenon has been defined as “Drain of Wealth”. The exploitation of colonies led to the emergence of Nationalism in the colonies. Countries worldwide launched massive movement against the Colonial nations to secure their freedom. The Indian National Movement launched by Indian Leaders led to freedom in India.

    Post Independence Indian leaders decided to draft our own constitution which reflected the values of our own nation and the aspirations of the Indian people. One of the most important development in this regard was making India a ‘Democratic Republic’.

    Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States, defined democracy as “a government of the people, by the people, and for the people”. In democracy it is the people who choose their rulers and they have the authority to change them when they don’t perform according to their expectations.

    A Republic on the other hand is a state where the head of the state is elected and not hereditary. Many of the developed states like Japan and UK are not Republics although they are democracies. On the other hand Indian leaders choose to make India a Republic state, a state where all the public offices are open to every citizen.

    During my childhood all my memories of Republic Day are related to occasional speeches on the importance of Republic Day, some sweets in the school in the morning and a half day holiday. It was only when I started preparing for Civil services I could understand the true meaning of Republic. 26 January is the day when our constitution was adopted by Our Own People. The Preamble of the constitution in its last para says that- IN OUR CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY this twenty-sixth day of November, 1949, do HEREBY ADOPT, ENACT AND GIVE TO OURSELVES THIS CONSTITUTION. This shows the collective ownership of the Indian constitution by the people of India.

    After clearing the civil services I joined Railways as HR officer and one of my duties included making arrangements for celebration of Republic Day and Hoisting of Flag by the Divisional Railway Manager. This is a task which I have enjoyed the most till date. For me Republic nature of Indian State is the only reason why I could join the civil service.

    Republic Day 2022 at Nagpur
    Republic Day 2023 at Pune
    Republic Day 2024 at Pune

    For me Republic Day is a day to reflect upon the freedom we have in our country and the opportunities that our country provides to us to grow as individuals. It is also a day to offer our tribute to the makers of Indian Constitution who drafted a constitution which was much ahead of its times and has been rated as one of most progressive constitutions in the World.

  • My First cycling Trip from Pune to Lonavala

    My First cycling Trip from Pune to Lonavala

    Lonavala is a well known place between the city of Mumbai and Pune. It is an ideal outing place for one or two day trip with family, friends and even solo. The place is so famous that it has been a filming location for many Bollywood films. The place is full of natural beauty and there are many good resorts which offer many adventure activities. Lonavala becomes even more beautiful in the monsoon and at this time this is one of the most visited places in the country.

    Lonavala is located at a distance of around 65 to 70 km from the city of Pune and it can be reached both by Old Pune Mumbai Highway and the Pune Mumbai Expressway.

    My Cycling Trip From Pune to Lonavala

    It was in the Month of March 2023 that we 3 officers of Indian Railways decided to do a cycling trip from Pune to Lonavala. The best thing about the month of March is that the weather is still not very warm for cycling and the number of tourists in Lonavala is also less. We started our journey on 26th March at around 5:45 AM in the Morning. The weather was cold in the morning making it an ideal day for cycling.

       Cycling Trip From Pune to Lonavala

    The Cycling Route from Pune to Lonavala

    As discussed in the blog above there are two routes to reach lonavala from Pune one being the old Pune Mumbai highway and the other being Pune Mumbai expressway. For our cycling trip we decided to take the old Pune Mumbai HIghway Route. The reason for this primarily being the safety at the road since the average vehicle speed at Old highway is way less than the expressway. The other reason being availability of many roadside shops at the old highway. This gives us a flexibility to eat a bite at whenever we feel hungry while cycling.

    The initial route within the city was not very good. The road was not in very good condition and there was a huge truck traffic on the road. When we started our cycling it was still dark and the bad road quality along with heavy truck traffic was causing lot of inconvenience for cycling.

    However everything changes once you cross the PMC area and reach PCMC area. The roads are wide and you can ride on the side of the road without any inconvenience. So after the initial hiccups it was an easy ride till Lonavala.

    Crossing the Ghats

    If you are cycling from Pune to Lonavala via old Mumbai highway you have to cross primarily three ghats. The first ghat being just before Talegaon. This ghat is not very big so climbing this ghat is not a very big issue. However I will still advise that if you are not able to climb the ghat cycling then you can take a walk with your cycle. Then there are two consecutive ghats just before Borra caves. These ghats are little longer and take a lot of effort to climb vis cycle. I would recommend that you take a few minutes rest before starting to climb these two ghats. However descending the ghats is a thrilling experience.

    Apart from crossing the two ghats, the journey to Lonavala is pleasing one. There is not much traffic on the highway in the morning and you will come across many other cyclists along the way. The journey of 65 Km took us around 4 hrs to complete.

    The Lonavala Railway Rest House

    The tips like this give us much needed confidence and they help us realise the limitations of our body. Once you complete any trip like this, it gives you a sense of achievement and something to remember forever.

    Happy Cycling!

  • A Cycling Trip to Kasarsai Dam

    A Cycling Trip to Kasarsai Dam

    Kasarsai Dam is a beautiful location near Pune for an ideal outing. The place is full of natural beauty and nearby resorts offer many adventurous activities along with good food. Located in the close proximity of the Pune city Kasarsai dam is an ideal place for a weekend outing. Kasarsai dam is easily reachable through car, bike or even public transport. However this time we choose cycling over all other modes of transport to reach this place.

        Early Morning cycling to Kasarsai Dam.

    About Kasarsai Dam

    Kasarsai Dam is built on Indrayani River as part of Kasarsai Irrigation Project. The dam is 1170 meter long having height of 29.36 meter. The spillway of the dam is ogee type with 3 gates of size 12×5 meter size. The project was completed in 1995. The dam is located very close to Hinjewadi, the IT hub of Pune. Being located in the proximity of Kasarsai Village the dam was named as Kasarsai Dam.

    Off late due to its close proximity to the Pune city and its natural beauty, Kasarsai Dam has become a great attraction for tourists.

    Location of Kasarsai Dam

    Kasarsai Dam is located at a distance of about 30-35 km from Pune city depending upon the location where you live in Pune city. The place is well connected from the main city. If you are going to Kasarsai Dam from Pune Railway station you can take the Aundh Route which has less traffic and it takes around 45 minutes to reach the place.

    Cycling to Kasarsai Dam

    One fine day we decided to visit Kasarsai Dam via cycling. We started our journey early in the morning at around 5:45 AM. The morning breeze in Pune is generally cool and cycling in the morning time is fun. Since the traffic in the morning time is quite less, you can do cycling without much discomfort. After cycling around 2 hours we reached Kasarsai. We took the Aundh route which is good choice because the road quality is good and traffic on this route is quite less. On reaching Kasarsai we has a cup of tea in the nearby tea shop and then we went to the Kasarsai lake for Boating. Boating in the morning time was a great fun. Before returning we has our breakfast in the nearby resort. The food was good and the cool breeze of the morning made it even more tastier. Overall it was a great experience for us.

          At final Point(K Rocks resort)
        View of Kasarsai Lake in the Morning

    Activities to Do in Kasarsai Lake

    Kasarsai Lake is generally full of activities. It has something to offer to the visitors throughout the day. Few of the activities are listed as below:

    1. Boating- The place is good for boating. There are boats available on payment basis and one can enjoy a beautiful evening or Morning in the lake. The sunset view in the lake is stunning.
    2. Fishing- Fishing lovers can go for fishing in the lake.
    3. Swimming- Forest department has installed proper swimming barricade in the lake. The lake is a perfect place for outdoor swimming.
    4. Camping- Many camping sites have come up along the lakeside. One can enjoy a lakeside camping in Kasarsai Lake.
    5. Birdwatching- Many birds visit the place especially during the winter. This makes it an ideal spot for birdwatching.
    6. Photography- Due to the stunning views of sunset, Kasarsai Lake is an ideal spot for sunset photography.
    Morning Photography in Kasarsai Lake

    Other Activities to Do in Kasarsai Lake

    There are many resorts nearby Kasarsai dam which offer good food and many adventurous activities like watersports, children joyride etc. The place becomes very beautiful during the monsoon season.

    Sunset Photography at Kasarsai Dam

    During my stay in Pune in 2019 i visited Kasarsai dam in the evening. The sun was about to set and at that time I took a few pictures of sunset at Kasarsai Lake. The view of sunset here is very beautiful. The Yellowish Red light of the sunset makes the entire lake look like yellow. You can just sit along the lakeside and enjoy a beautiful view of sunset from there.

    Beautiful View of Sunset at Kasarsai Lake

    Kasarsai Lake is one of my go to places near Pune. The place is calm, serene and beautiful. Being located at an hour ride from Pune it is a perfect weekend getaway.

  • Sunrise at Kanifnath Trek: Beauty and Divinity!

    Sunrise at Kanifnath Trek: Beauty and Divinity!

    Kanifnath Trek is a unique trek near Pune city. The trek is neither a fort trek nor a hill trek, rather it is a ‘Tekdi’. Famous Kanifnath temple is located at the top of this tekdi. The trek is one of the offbeat locations near Pune city but is fast becoming famous because of being located near Pune city and the easy nature of the trek.

    Location of Kanifnath Trek

    The Kanifnath trek is located at a distance of around 25 to 30 km from Pune city depending upon where you live in Pune city. The base village known as Bopagaon is located just before the start of Dive Ghat. The place is easily reachable from Pune city both via drive and public transport. It takes around 1 hr to reach the base village from the Pune city via Hadapsar. The road is good and there is not much traffic especially in the morning. There is ample parking available in the base village so you can easily park your car/bike.

    Kanifnath Trek

    The entire trek distance of kanifnath trek is around 2.5 km. The trek is of easy nature except a few difficult patches. The trek takes around 45 minutes to complete each side. The entire trek duration is around 1.5 hours.

       The only difficult patch of Kanifnath trek

    Due to the easy nature of the trek it can be easily done by the children. It is in this context that Kanifnath trek is an ideal location for a morning family outing.

       Children Enjoying the Morning trek at Kanifnath

    View of Sunrise at Kanifnath Trek

    Along with the darsan to Kanifnath temple the view of sunrise is the most important attraction of Kanifnath trek. The cool breeze of Western Ghats fills you with energy and positivity. If you start the trek early you can easily reach at the top before sunrise and enjoy a beautiful view of sunrise from the top.

    View of Sunrise at kanifnath Trek

    Visit to Kanifnath Temple

    Kanifnath also known as Khandoba is a Hindu Saint. He is one of the nine Mahayogis of Navnath Sampradaya. Kanifnath is also considered as an avtaar of Narayana. The temple at the top is dedicated to Kanifnath. The temple is grand and beautiful. There are many shops nearby selling local food and fruits. You can just sit and relax inside the temple premises for sometime and then start your return trek. There are many smaller temples inside the temple premises.

    Monsoon season is the best season the do the Kanifnath trek. However the trek can be done in any season and the journey and the the experience is memorable.

    Other Places Near Kanifnath Trek

    The famous Dive ghat is located in the vicinity of the Kanifnath. The Murti of Vitthal prabhu is also located nearby. While visiting the Kanifnath you can also visit Malhargarh Fort( The last fort built by Marathas). There are many good restaurants nearby where you can enjoy a delicious breakfast.

  • Necklace Point and Bhatghar Dam Backwaters: A Great Place for Half Day Outing!

    Necklace Point and Bhatghar Dam Backwaters: A Great Place for Half Day Outing!

    Necklace Point and Bhatghar Dam are two places located nearby to each other which offer a great natural beauty and beautiful view of the sunset. Both these places are located at a drive of around 1 hr 30 minutes from Pune and are a perfect spot for a half day trip.

    Location of Bhatghar Dam and Necklace Point

    Both Bhatghar Dam and Necklace Point are located at a distance of around 56 and 50 km from Pune respectively on Pune Satara highway. The distance between Necklace Point and Bhatghar dam is around 6 km and Necklace point is located on the way the the Bhatghar dam. If you are visiting the place from Pune, Both these places are located at a distance of around 12 and 7 km from Pune Satara highway. The road is good however the only downside is that it becomes very busy during the weekend especially in the evening.

    Necklace Point

    Necklace point is one of the most famous spots for visitors on the way to Bhatghar dam. At this place River Nira and River Gunjawani meet each other and take a twist to form a shape of a necklace. Necklace point is one of the prime examples of meandering in Western Ghats. The meandering takes place mainly due to siltation and slowing down of the flow of the river. Due to its unique shape the place looks very beautiful from the top.

        View of Necklace Point from the Top.

    The place(Necklace Point) looks very beautiful in the monsoon and the sunset view is amazing here.

    Necklace point view point being located on the main road it is sometimes difficult to find a parking space here. That is the only downside of this place. Also there are no eateries nearby so if you want to have something you have to carry your own food items.

    Bhatghar Dam Backwaters

    Bhatghar Dam is one of the oldest dam in the state of Maharashtra. It is a gravity dam and was built in 1927. The dam is built on Yelwanti River near Bhor are in Pune District.

    Although Pawna Lake is one of the most famous lakes near Pune. However if you are looking for a calm and peaceful outing place with less crowd and great natural beauty, Bhatghar Dam backwaters is a place for you. When I visited the place in the Month of May 2022 there were hardly any visitors. Hence you can get much needed peaceful surroundings here to relax and feel free from the Hustle and Bustle of the city life. The place is quite raw and there is not much commercialisation here. This gives the place a very natural look.

    View of Bhatghar Dam backwaters

    Sunset at Bhatghar Dam Backwaters

    The best thing about the bhatghar dam is the view of beautiful sunset. The cool breeze of the evening makes the sunset view even more beautiful. You can sit, relax and click few pictures of the sunset. Put you feet in the Lake waters and enjoy an evening watching the sunset with almost no crowd nearby.

    View of Sunset At Bhatghar dam backwaters

    The place is not much commericaised hence you will not find any shop nearby to eat/drink something. Hence it is better to carry our own eatables and enjoy a view of the sunset on the banks of the Bhatghar dam Backwaters.

  • Gandhi Ashram Sevagram: Discovering the Village of Service

    Gandhi Ashram Sevagram also known as Sevagram Ashram is the place where Gandhi ji lived from 1934. The Word ‘Sevagram’ stands for Village of Service and the place is located around 8 Km from the small town of Wardha.

    Gandhi ji also known as the Father of Nation returned to India from South Africa after protesting against the partial treatment of Indians in 1915. The day of return of Gandhi ji to India i.e. 9th January is also celebrated as Pravasi Bhartiya Divas.

    After returning from South Africa Gandhi ji did not start taking part in active politics immediately. However he took some time to travel throughout the country to know about India better. Gandhi Ji set up Sabarmati Ashram near Ahmedabad on the banks of river Sabarmati in 1915.

    The first Satyagraha in which Gandhi ji participated actively was Champaran Satyagraha. In Champaran the farmers were forced to grow Indigo on their fields for which they barely received any payment. Upon Gandhi ji’s intervention British Government was forced to set up an Indigo Commission and the issues of farmers ware resolved. This Satyagraha is considered to be the first popular Satyagraha of Gandhi ji.

    After Champaran Satyagraha Gandhi ji Participated in Ahmedabad Mill Strike issue. The issue was sorted out and the workers got raise in their salaries along with Plague bonus.

    Dandi March was one of the most significant movement launched by Gandhi ji where Gandhi ji took a walk from his Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi along with his 80 chosen followers and broke the salt law on the shores of Dandi. Dandi March started on 12th March 1930 and it is also known as Civil Disobedience Movement in the history of India.

    After Dandi March Gandhi ji decided not to return to his Sabarmati Ashram till Independence was achieved. In 1934 at the invitation of Jamanlal Gandhi ji came to Wardha and decided to built his residence in the village named Shegaon which was renamed as Sevagram(Village of Service). Gandhi ji lived in this ashram from 1936 till his death in 1948.

         A Chronology of Gandhi’s Life

    Gandhi Ashram: Sevagram

    The Sevagram Ashram is built in typical village style houses because Gandhi ji insisted that his home should not be different than an average village home. There are many huts in the ashram which were built for different purposes. A tour of the entire ashram gives a different kind of peace to the mind. Major places inside to Gandhi Ashram are:

    1. Ba-Kuti
    2. Bapu-Kuti
    3. Prayer Ground
    4. Gandhi ji’s Secretariat
    5. Bapu’s Kitchen
    6. Adi-Nivas( Adi-Nivas is the first hut to be built in Sevagram Ashram)
    7. Nai Talim Parisar
          Gandhi ji’s First Kitchen
    Gandhi Ji’s Washroom
    Death bed of Kasturba
    Adi Nivas- The first hut built in the Ashram
          Prayer Ground
        Ashram campus

    Gandhi Ashram: How to Reach?

    Sevagram Ashram is around 80 km from Nagpur City which the only major city nearby. The place is at a drive of around 1 hr 15 minutes from Nagpur via drive. The road is very good. Also the nearest Railway station is Wardha where most of the trains stop(Many trains do not stop at Sevagram). One can take a train from Nagpur to Wardha and Sevagram is around 8 km from Wardha Town. The roads are good and there is not much crowd also.

    Other Things to Explore in Gandhi Ashram(Sevagram)

    There are huts made for the stay. If you want you can take a hut and stay there for a day or two. This will give a better understanding of Gandhi ji’s works and his lifestyle. There is a good book shop inside the Ashram where you can buy books on Gandhi ji’s life and works. A fabric shop is also located in the compound which sells Khadi and cotton fabric. There is a souvenir shop inside the Ashram premises where you can buy souvenir related to Gandhi ji’s works like ‘Charkha’. However whenever you are in Sevagram do visit the restaurant located in the Gandhi Ashram which offers good food of various varieties.

    Sevagram Ashram is a place which is very close to my heart. The place is filled with history and it gives you a real understanding of the sacrifices of our freedom fighters to attain freedom.

  • Ghogra(Ghogara) Mahadev Temple Nagpur: A Beautiful Picnic Place Near Nagpur

    Ghogra(Ghogara) Mahadev Temple Nagpur: A Beautiful Picnic Place Near Nagpur

    Ghogra Mahadev Temple is the most unique place that I visited in Nagpur. The place is located at a distance of about 35 km from the city of Nagpur and can be reached in 50 minutes by car or bike. The road is quite good and the place is generally not much crowded.

    Ghogra Mahadev Temple is well known for the Shiva temple and many people from around the nagpur district come to worship at this place. A beautiful Shiva temple is located at the top of the place. However the most interesting thing about this place is the white rugged rocks. The rocks look very beautiful and the place is an ideal place for picnic and fun with friends and family. There are many small ponds in the white rocks where water is stored. You can sit and place your legs in the cold water and relax.

    The beautiful Looking white rugged rocks at Ghogra Mahadev temple.
    The Beautiful Rugged White Rocks
        Small Ponds in the rock where water is stored

    Pench River

    The pench river flows through these rocks and the Shiva Temple is located on the banks of Pench river above these rocks. Many people take bath in the river before visiting the temple to offer prayers. The landscape of the Pench River looks very beautiful.

    Pench River flowing through the Rocks with Shiva temple in the background
    Landscape of Pench River at Ghogra Mahadev

    Timings Entry Fee and Things to Do in Ghogra Mahadev Temple

    The place is open from morning till evening. There is no entry fee for going to this place. Locals charge some parking fee if you are carrying your own vehicle.

    Generally people come to Worship in Shiva temple at this place. However the place is good for picnic. There are many local shop which sell authentic local food like Jhunka-Bhakar, Lai-Chana etc. Many shop sell local artifacts also. You can visit to these shops and enjoy tasty local food take a walk along the Pench River and visit the Shiva temple.

    Overall the Ghogra Mahadev Temple is a great place for a short outing trip near nagpur.

  • Gorewada Lake Jogging Trail: A Trail for Morning Walk and Bird Watching!

    Gorewada Lake Jogging Trail: A Trail for Morning Walk and Bird Watching!

    Gorewada Lake:Origin and History

    Gorewada Lake is one of the 11 lakes in Nagpur district. The lake is located in the northwestern part of the Nagpur City. Gorewada lake is an artificial lake which was formed by constructing by building a dam like wall.

    Gorewada lake was developed in 1912 to supply the drinking water to the increasing population of Nagpur city. The lake still remains one of the primary source of water supply for the city of Nagpur.

    The lake is surrounded by thick forests from 3 sides. There are many wild animals and birds in the vicinity of the lake. A jungle safari is available in Balasaheb Thackeray Gorewada International Zoological Park. For detailed information please refer- https://gorewadasafari.com/.

    However the topic of discussion for today is Gorewada Nature trail. The trail is around 4 km long and is an ideal spot for morning walk, jogging and running. The trail runs parallel to the Gorewada lake and is an ideal spot for bird watching.

    Key Highlights

    1. Nature Trails

    • The Gorewada Nature Trail offers a peaceful walk through a forested area with well-marked paths. The trails vary in length and difficulty, catering to both casual walkers and more serious trekkers.
    • The trails wind through lush greenery, with plenty of opportunities to observe local flora and fauna. The area is especially vibrant during the post-monsoon season when the forest is dense and the weather is pleasant.

    2. Birdwatching

    • Gorewada is a haven for birdwatchers, with over 200 species of birds recorded in the area. Commonly spotted birds include peafowl, kingfishers, woodpeckers, and various species of raptors and waterfowl.
    • The trail passes near Gorewada Lake, which is an excellent spot for observing waterbirds. Early morning or late afternoon are the best times for birdwatching when the birds are most active.
    Bird Watching in Gorewada Lake

    3. Wildlife

    • The biodiversity park is home to various species of wildlife, including deer, wild boars, and small mammals. Although large predators are not common in this area, the park plays a crucial role in conserving the local ecosystem.
    • The park also has a rescue center for injured or displaced wildlife, contributing to the conservation efforts in the region.

    4. Gorewada Lake

    • The nature trail offers scenic views of Gorewada Lake, a man-made reservoir that provides a tranquil setting for visitors. The lake is surrounded by forest, adding to the serene atmosphere.
    • Visitors can enjoy the calm waters, watch birds by the lakeside, or simply relax and take in the natural beauty.
    View of Gorewada Lake

    5. Environmental Education

    • The park is not only a recreational area but also a center for environmental education. It often hosts workshops, guided tours, and activities aimed at raising awareness about conservation and the importance of preserving natural habitats.

    Gorewada Nature Trail(Ticket Price and Entry)

    The entry fee for the Gorewada nature trail is Rs 30 for adults and Rs 10 for kids. Monthly pass is available for Rs 50. The place is managed by forest department and you are required to show a valid id for entry. There is ample parking space available in the vicinity. The timings for the place is generally from 6 am to 10 am.

    Gorewada lake is an ideal spot for morning walk, run and jogging. If you are a cycling enthusiast you can do cycling upto Gorewada lake entry point and then do a jogging and return back. The place is calm and peaceful with not many people around. Considering its peacefulness it is one of the best places for morning activities in the city of Nagpur.

  • Don Vasco Museum (Shillong): A Place for Unique Experience of North East History and Culture

    Don Vasco Museum also known as Don Vasco Center for Indigenous Cultures is a museum dedicated to showcasing the North East history and culture. The museum is located in the capital city of Shillong and is one of the popular tourists attractions of the city.

    The North Eastern states of India are known for their rich history and culture. These states are home to many tribal communities who have their own culture and tradition. With the coming up of globalisation it has become important to preserve these cultures and one way of doing this is to showcase these cultures and traditions to the outside world. Don Vasco Museum tries to achieve the same. In fact Don Vasco museum is the first museum is Asia dedicated specifically to the promotion of indigenous and tribal cultures.

    Don Vasco Museum: A Brief History

    The museum was opened in 2003 for general public. It showcases the cultures of 7 states which are known as 7 sister states viz. Arunanchal Pradesh, Mizoram, Manipur, Meghalaya, Assam, Nagaland and Sikkim. The museum has wide variety of collection of art work, ornamentation, regional attires, weapons and handicrafts pertaining to the North- eastern States.

    Galleries in The Museum

    The museum is divided into 17 galleries. Some of the prominent ones are as under:

    1. Language Gallery
    2. Mission and Culture Gallery
    3. Prehistoric Gallery
    4. Agriculture Gallery
    5. Traditional Technology Gallery
    6. Musical Instruments Gallery
    7. Weapons Gallery
        A gallery in Don Vasco Museum

    Each of these galleries showcase the respective aspects of Northeast tradition and culture.

    Ticket Price and How to Visit?

    Being located in the heart of the Shillong city the museum can be visited by taking a cab or taxi from our place of stay. The entry charges for Indian tourists- are INR 100 and for foreign tourists- it is INR 200. The place is open from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM in summer and from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM in winter.

    Don Vasco Museum: A Photo Gallery

    The Story of Balpakram(Courtesy Don Vasco Museum)
      The story of Lumsohpetbneng(Courtesy Don Vasco Museum)
       Cultural Profile of North-Eastern States
     Weaving in North-Eastern States(Courtesy Don Vasco Museum)

    View of Shillong From the Top of Don Vasco Museum

    One of the major attraction at Don Vasco Museum is to go at the top of Don Vasco Museum and enjoy the beautiful view of Shillong city.

    View of Shillong from the top of Don Vasco Museum

    In Shillong Don Vasco Museum is one of the major attraction of the tourists. The place is culturally rich and has diversity of artifacts and galleries to offer to visitor. The place is a must visit in Shillong trip.